Oakland County teachers selected as teachers of the year

Angela Church, who was selected as Oakland County High School Teacher of the Year.

Three Oakland County teachers have been notified by a surprise knock on their classroom door that they have been selected as tops in their field.

Angela Church, Berkley school district, was selected as Oakland County High School Teacher of the year; Hadeel Azzo, Lamphere school district, as Middle School Teacher of the Year; and Molly Brinker, Royal Oak district, as Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Each will be presented with a $2,000 check from Oakland Schools Education Foundation at a special program May 9 to honor them and the 55 other teachers who were nominated.

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The winners were selected by a committee of Oakland School and community representatives after reviewing support statements and evaluating candidates in six areas: Engaging students, meeting students' individual needs, demonstrating knowledge of their subject area, demonstrating classroom management, relating to parents and colleagues, and demonstrating citizenship and leadership in the school community.

A Berkley resident, Church has been teaching at Berkley since the year 2000.

Colleague Jennifer Simone said, "Through her open and warm demeanor, she encourages both students and colleagues to take risks and reach for goals that seem unreachable."

Hadeel Azzo, of West Bloomfield, has been teaching at Lamphere School District's John Page Middle School since 2008.

One parent said of Azzo, "She is like a candle which lights the way of our children with love and care in order to help make them not only good students, but good human beings."

Molly Brinker, of Clarkston, is a teacher at Royal Oak Addams Elementary.

One parent said of her, "Mrs. Brinker challenges students to do their best and takes the time to know each students well enough to assess their potential."